Urea Breath Test Will Grow At Highest Pace Owing To Increasing Diagnosis Of Helicobacter Pylori Infe

Author : pratik chopade | Published On : 19 Apr 2024

 

 

 

 

The urea breath test (UBT) market involves a non-invasive diagnostic procedure to detect the presence of the bacteria Helicobacter pylori in the stomach and duodenum. The test involves drinking a glass of urea that contains carbon-13 or carbon-14. If H. pylori is present in the stomach, it will produce the enzyme urease which breaks down the urea releasing carbon dioxide that is absorbed and later released in the breath. Breath samples collected before and after urea ingestion are analyzed to detect the presence of labelled carbon dioxide, which indicates an active H. pylori infection. UBT provides accurate results for diagnosis compared to other invasive endoscopy procedures and blood antibody tests.

The Global Urea Breath Test Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 140.8 Mn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 6.6% over the forecast period 2024 to 2030.

Key Takeaways

Key players operating in the Urea Breath Test market are Al Dahra ACX Global Inc., Alfalfa Monegros SL, Anderson Hay & Grain Inc., Bailey Farms, Border Valley, Coaba, Cubeit Hay Company, Glenvar Hay, Green Prairie International, Grupo Osés, Gruppo Carli, Hay USA, Haykingdom Inc., Oregon Hay Products, Inc., Los Venteros SC, M&C Hay, Legal Alfalfa Products Ltd., Riverina (Australia) Pty Ltd, SL Follen Company, and Standlee Hay Company. The increasing prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infections globally is expected to drive the demand for urea breath tests in the coming years. Advancements in breath testing technology and introduction of portable devices have made the test procedures faster and easier to perform.

Market Trends

The rising awareness about early diagnosis of gastric diseases and availability of reimbursement for Urea Breath Test Market Growth procedures in developed regions is boosting the market growth. Manufacturers are engaged in new product launches and expansion of production facilities to cater to the growing demand. However, strict regulatory approvals and availability of alternative diagnostic methods continue to hinder the urea breath test market to a certain extent.

Market Opportunities

The emerging economies of Asia Pacific and Latin America present lucrative opportunities for market players, aided by rising healthcare expenditures and growing focus on preventive healthcare in these regions. Additionally, integration of artificial intelligence capabilities to analyze breath samples can help automate the diagnosis process and boost the efficiency of UBT procedures.

Impact of COVID-19 on Urea Breath Test Market

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the growth of the urea breath test market. During the peak of the pandemic in 2020-2021, many diagnostic tests and procedures were postponed or cancelled to avoid straining healthcare systems and prioritize treatment of COVID-19 patients. This led to a decline in the demand for urea breath tests in hospitals and clinical settings. However, as the pandemic is gradually being brought under control through vaccination drives, the market is recovering. With resumption of non-COVID healthcare, the number of urea breath tests conducted is rising steadily.

Still, some limitations persist. Staffing shortages in healthcare due to resignations during the peak continue to affect testing capacities. Supplies of reagents, disposables and instruments also faced delays and price rises due to global logistics and supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic. This poses challenges for rapid scale-up. The post-COVID market sees opportunities in test promotions and awareness campaigns to clear backlogs. Point-of-care urea breath tests are gaining favor for decentralizing diagnostics away from crowded clinical settings. Telemedicine is helping expand access while minimizing infection risk through remote consultations.

While COVID-19 significantly dampened market prospects in the short term, the long term forecast remains positive supported by rising H. pylori infection prevalence, increased screening programs and adoption of non-endoscopic testing methods. The pandemic has also underscored the need for infection detection and management to maintain healthcare system efficiency. With evolving mitigation strategies and resilient supply chains, the urea breath test market is set to rebound and touch estimated values in the coming years.

Europe currently accounts for the largest share of the global urea breath test market in terms of value. This is attributed to the rising burden of H. pylori infection, developed healthcare infrastructure and availability of diagnostic reimbursements in countries like Germany, United Kingdom, France and Italy. However, the Asia Pacific region is emerging as the fastest growing market for urea breath tests. Factors such as the improving access to diagnostics, booming medical tourism industries and increasing research focus on H. pylori are driving the growth of the APAC market higher than other regions. China and India specifically offer immense untapped opportunities owing to their massive patient pools and growing healthcare expenditures.

Get more insights on Urea Breath Test Market